Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

Sensing the chill emanating from the emperor, Li Changde quickly added, "However, Xiao Mingzi didn't mention that the Imperial Noble Consort's illness is probably unrelated to Her Highness."

"My two beloved ministers, that's all for today."

After saying this, Nangong Xuanyu strode out.

Li Changde hurriedly jogged to catch up and urgently ordered the imperial carriage to be prepared outside.

Only Gu Jinxiao and Jiang Lingzhou remained in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Jiang Lingzhou's face was even paler than before, and he coughed softly, quickly covering it with his sleeve.

Once he calmed down, his eyes revealed undisguised worry.

Yongshou Palace, the Imperial Noble Consort...

She was his adopted sister; how could he not be worried?

Gu Jinxiao frowned, his thin lips pressed into a straight line, and his usually calm eyes were now filled with obvious ripples.

But Gu Jinxiao is still Gu Jinxiao.

No matter what undercurrents surged within him, he showed no sign of it on his face.

He took a deep breath, looked at Jiang Lingzhou who looked unwell, and said in a low voice, "Brother Jiang, don't be anxious."

"His Majesty has gone there personally; he will surely handle the matter properly."

No one knew whether these words were meant to comfort Jiang Lingzhou or to convince themselves...

Xiao Huizi stepped forward and gently supported Jiang Lingzhou, saying, "Lord Jiang, please don't worry too much and harm your health. Why don't you go back to your duty room at the Hanlin Academy and rest for a while?"

Jiang Lingzhou shook his head, looked in the direction Nangong Xuanyu had left, and insisted, "I will wait here for news."

How could he leave in peace?

Gu Jinxiao remained silent.

He understood Jiang Lingzhou's feelings.

However, he was used to restraint, suppressing all his emotions under appropriate words and actions.

The two stood in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, speechless for a moment.

……

Consort Zhuang's entourage was proceeding at a leisurely pace along the palace road.

"Cousin! Cousin, wait!"

Consort Mei's entourage caught up from behind.

She had clearly rushed out after hearing the news; a hair ornament dangling from her hair swayed urgently with her movements.

The eunuchs carrying the palanquin were well-trained. When they saw that it was Consort Mei's entourage approaching, they subconsciously slowed their pace even though they had not received instructions from Consort Zhuang.

Consort Zhuang turned her head slightly to look at Consort Mei on the palanquin beside her, her brows furrowing slightly: "What's the matter that you're in such a hurry?"

That's a rhetorical question.

Consort Mei gripped the handrail of the palanquin and took a few deep breaths. She then realized that there were too many people and too much chatter in the area.

She forced a smile and said urgently, "Cousin, I heard that the Imperial Noble Consort suddenly summoned you with great fanfare, and I am really worried about you."

"What...what exactly happened? Why did this happen out of nowhere..."

Consort Mei didn't finish her sentence, but Consort Zhuang knew she was referring to the Third Prince.

Consort Zhuang's heart sank further, but her face remained calm as she smiled helplessly: "I was wondering the same thing."

"Since the Imperial Noble Consort has summoned me, I naturally dare not neglect my duty. As for the specifics of the matter... I have no idea."

Seeing Consort Zhuang's composure, Consort Mei's wildly beating heart calmed down a bit, but she was still somewhat uneasy: "But, cousin..."

"Why did the Imperial Noble Consort suddenly cause such a commotion..."

Consort Zhuang gently interrupted her: "That's enough."

"The palace rules are strict; one should not make wild guesses, much less believe rumors."

"The Imperial Noble Consort manages the six palaces and acts with propriety. As concubines, we only need to be mindful of our duties and follow orders."

At this point, she raised her voice slightly to make sure the palace servants around her could hear: "If you have a clear conscience, you have nothing to fear."

"I have been in the palace for many years and have a clear conscience. If Your Highness the Imperial Noble Consort has any questions, I will answer them truthfully. What is there to fear?"

These words were spoken with utmost frankness.

Upon hearing this, the eunuchs and palace maids around couldn't help but think to themselves, "The Imperial Concubine is indeed dignified and composed in the face of adversity!"

Seeing Consort Zhuang's calm expression, Consort Mei's heart slowly settled down.

My cousin has always been the most opinionated, and her plans are always very meticulous.

If something had really gone wrong, why would my cousin be so calm? I guess I'm just overthinking it.

Perhaps Yongshou Palace really had something else on its mind.

Consort Mei breathed a sigh of relief, and a smile returned to her face: "My cousin is right. I lost my composure. I was just flustered because I was worried..."

The two men's palanquins started moving again, heading towards Yongshou Palace.

However... from an angle that Consort Mei couldn't see, Consort Zhuang's gaze suddenly turned deep, and she gave Xiao Cai a wink.

Xiao Cai felt a chill run down his spine, slowed his pace by half a beat, and with a swift movement, silently slipped away from the group.

Soon, Consort Zhuang's entourage came to a steady stop in front of Yongshou Palace.

He immediately stepped forward to help her up.

Consort Zhuang, holding Ruoji's hand, stepped down from the palanquin.

Upon entering the main hall, she looked up and saw many figures and a murmur of voices.

Sure enough, almost every concubine in the six palaces who was known by name rushed over upon hearing the news.

At this moment, Consort Zhuang's heart sank to the bottom!

If it were just a routine inquiry or discussion, why would such a grand spectacle be necessary? This is clearly the setup of a joint trial!

Imperial Noble Consort... What a wonderful way to focus on her pregnancy and stay out of worldly affairs!

It was all a deception, a smokescreen to lull the enemy into a false sense of security!

The Imperial Noble Consort had already laid a trap, just waiting for her to walk right into it!

An indescribable chill crept into Consort Zhuang's heart...

However, the instincts she had developed over many years in the palace allowed her to maintain a composed demeanor, with a polite smile on her face.

The buzzing whispers in the hall abruptly ceased upon the arrival of Consort Zhuang.

Everyone's gazes, whether curious, inquisitive, or gloating, all fell upon her.

Consort Xian, Consort Xuan, Consort Qin, Consort Su, Consort Yue... and Consort Kang were all watching her.

Consort Zhuang seemed oblivious to those gazes, looking at Shen Zhinian, who sat upright in the main seat.

Shen Zhinian was dressed solemnly today, one hand protecting her protruding belly, her brows furrowed with melancholy, and her gaze towards her was complex and unreadable.

It felt like heartache, and also like disappointment.

Consort Zhuang released Ruoji's hand, stepped forward, and curtsied according to etiquette: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to Your Highness, may Your Highness enjoy ten thousand years of good fortune and peace!"

Consort Mei, who followed Consort Zhuang in, was so nervous that her breath caught in her throat. She lowered her head and dared not look at Shen Zhinian, but only bowed respectfully.

At the same time, the other concubines in the hall also rose and bowed to Consort Zhuang: "Your humble servants/concubines greet Your Highness, may Your Highness be blessed with good fortune and peace!"

Shen Zhinian said calmly, "Your Highness, no need for formalities. Please take a seat."

"Thank you, Your Highness the Imperial Noble Consort."

After taking her seat, Consort Zhuang straightened her back and met Shen Zhinian's gaze calmly: "I wonder what brings Your Highness the Imperial Noble Consort to summon me in such an urgent manner?"

"I am truly terrified to see all my sisters in the palace here."

"Please enlighten us, Your Highness, what is it that has troubled the Imperial Noble Consort and alarmed so many sisters?"

Just then, Li Changde's shrill voice suddenly rang out from outside: "His Majesty has arrived—!!!"